Latch construction



I Nov.25, 1941. I

R. A. MILLER 2,264,182

LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1, 1938 5 Sheets-She et 2 'llll/ Ill/Q l INVEN TOR.

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A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 25, 1941. R. A. MILLER LATCH cousmucwrou Filed Nov. 1, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

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LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVEN TOR. E0867? 7- M144 :2

ATTORNEYS.

R. A. MILLER I 2,264,182

Nov. 25, 1941. I R. A. MILLER 2,264,182

LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1, 1938 5 Sheets-Shet s IN V EN TOR. ER T19. MILLER BY 644426 9, 944. A TORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 25, 1941 oFic LATCH CONSTRUCTION Robert A. Miller, Tarentum, Pa., assignor to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Allegheny County, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 1, 1938, Serial No. 238,198

5 Claims. ((31. 292-340) The present invention relates to latch mechanisms for closures and it has particular relation to mechanisms for latching or looking doors or other closures comprising panels of glass.

One object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the foregoing type the main elements of which are mounted in a floor or ceiling of a building rather than in the movable closure panels.

This and other objects of the invention will be apparent from consideration of the following specification and the appended claims.

It has heretofore been proposed to form doors or other closures for buildings of single massive panels of glass, which panels usually are tempered in order to increase the strength thereof. Difficulty has been encountered in the provision of adequate and attractive securing devices for such closures. Obviously the provision of conventional mortise locks is impracticable. Other types of conventional locking mechanism are objectionable because they tend to detract from the general appearance of a single massive panel of glass. Furthermore, in most instances they require mounting holes or openings of one form or another which holes are difficult to form in such hard, brittle material as glass. These difficulties are accentuated where the doors comprise twin panels, the swinging edges of which are juxtaposed when the doors are closed.

In accordance with the provisions of the presbe projected lockingly to engage a corner portion of the doors or closure panels to be secured. Y

For a better understanding of the invention reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through a I convenient embodiment of a locking mechanism and the adjacent corner portions of a pair of swinging doors.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view substantially upon the line IIII of Figure 3, showing an additional form of the invention;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially upon line IIIIII of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially upon the line IV-IV of Figcure 5, and showing a further example of the invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the slightly modified form of the structure showninFigure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view taken substantially' upon the line VIVI of Figure 5. v

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary plan views illustrating schematically the relative arrangement of the locking mechanisms with respect to swinging door panels.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a convenient form of key-controlled locking mechanism for use in connection with the latching devices.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view disclosing electrically-controlled locking mechan1sm.

V Figure 12 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a latching mechanism embodying a magnetically-controlled securing device for the bolt thereof.

In the drawings like numerals refer to parts throughout.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 7 a pair of door panels l5 and I6, preferably of tempered glass, of a thickness varying within the approximate range of A to 1 inches, are perpendicularly mounted to swing in any convenient manner in an opening, one horizontal edge of which is defined by a deck such as a floor or ceiling ll. When the doors are closed two of their edges are so juxtaposed as to practically completely close the opening.

Mechanism to latch or look the panels in closed position includes a housing 18, disposed as shown in Fig. l in the plane of thedoors and having flanges 19 countersunk in the floor or ceiling to receive securing screws or bolts 2| extending therethrough. The housing is closed by a plate 22 which is provided with a tubular boss 23 that contains a vertically sliding bolt 2'4. The bolt when retracted is concealed in the housing, thus leaving a plane surface. It is also formed with a peripherally-extending groove ZB'for'a yoke 2? at the forward extremity of a horizontal operating bar 28. The bar swings vertically upon transversely-extending pivot 29, and is urged to normally retracted position by means of a spring 3| of mouse-trap type. One extremity 32, of the spring, bears upon the upper face of bar 28 and the rear portion 33 bears against a tubular abutment 34 extending downwardly from plate 22. At its mid portion the spring is bent about pivot 29 to produce tension upon the extremities.

The bar 28 is also provided with a rearwardlyextending portion 35, which may be depressed in order to actuate the bolt 24 upwardly, by means like means of mechanism including a smallbell-crank lever 42, pivoted at its apex upon transverse pin 43. The lever includes at one extremity a hooked portion 44, adapted to engage" extension 36; to

' In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 7, the latch bar 28 is disposed substantially within the plane of the closed positions of panels l5 and I6. However, as shown in Figure 8 the maintain the latter in depressed position. It will be observed that the extremity of ;the.portion 36 7 and the hook 44 are so rounded or sloped that upon depression of button 31 to move the pro-,

jection 36 downwardly the hook is moved rearwardly by camaction until it can clear the rear edge of the projection. I

Release of hook 44 from the projection 36 is effected by push-button mechanism including a second flushly disposed button 41 having a stem 48 mounted to reciprocate in a tubular housing 49 extending downwardly from cover plate 22. The button is maintained in elevated position by helical spring 5! engaging the lower face of the button atone extremity and at its lower extremity engaging suitable flange 52 about the inner periphery of the housing. At its lower extremity stem 48 of the button 41 ,is pivoted by means of 5 other.

pin 53 disposed in slots 54 within biiurcated'portion 55 at the rearextremity of the bell-crank lever in such manner that depression of the button swings the hook portion 44 to release extension 36 of arm 28.

Bolt 24, when elevated to operative position, is received within an opening 56 in a block 51 of brass or other material disposed in a notch 58 in the' corner of door panel l5, and is insulated irom direct contact with the glass by means of a resilient packing 58 of rubber or other sui able material. It is secured in position by means of a bolt 60 in bushing6l in opening 62 that communicates with the notch 58 in such manner that the'bushing is keyed within the opening. The bolt at its extremities extends through cover plates 63, which may be secured to the block 57 by means of transverse bolts 64.

A block 66 is also disposed in a notch 67 in panel l6 and is secured from displacement by means of bolt 68 in circular opening iii], cover plates H and bolts 12, all substantially corresponding to bolts 60, plates 63 and pins 64. Block 66 is formed with horizontally-extending bore 13 in which is slidably disposed a bolt 14, projecting'into a corresponding opening in the edge of block 51. Bolt 14 may be operated in any convenient manner, for example, by means of a laterally-extending arm 16 (shown in Fig. 7) which projects through an opening 11 in one of the plates II.

The operation of the mechanism herein shown is substantially self-evident. Assuming that the bolt 24 is in depressed or retracted position and that it is desired to lock the door panels I5 and IS the panel [6 is first opened to expose the button 37. The latter is then depressed to swing the arm 28 upwardly and correspondingly to project the bolt 24 into the opening 56. Simultaneously the hook 44 is cammed rearwardly until it engages and locks the rear extremity of the projection 36; The panel l6 may then be closed and bar may be turned transversely of the door panels. In this event it is preferable to employ two latching mechanisms, one for each door panel. Either panel may then be released independently of the Assuming that the latching mechanisms are disposed with the push-buttons 39 and 41 to the interior of a room or building, the doors may be locked or latched against entrance from the exterior, but can be opened by a person within the interior.'

In the forms of the invention disclosed in Figures 2 and 3 the employment of blocks in the corners of the door panels is obviated: In this form of the invention the housing corresponding to the housing I8 is disposed in a floor or ceiling and is provided with a cover plate 8| within which is formed an opening 82. A bolt 83 having a bifurcated upper portion 84 is slidably disposed in the opening in such manner that the bifurcated portion may engage and disengage the lower corners of a pair of door panels 85. The lower portion of the bolts is recessed as indicated at 85 to receive the forward'extremity of latch bar 81 corresponding to latch bar 28. The extremity is pivoted upon a transverse pin 88 within the recess. Aside from the modification of the bolt 83 this embodiment of the invention substantially corresponds in construction to that disclosed in Figure 1. It will be noted that the latch bar '81 extends transversely of the door panels and since the bolt 83 simultaneously engages both panels of the door a single latch is suificient for both panels.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a plate-like bolt 90 of substantial width is disposed to reciprocate in opening Si in housing 92. The plate is slotted as indicated at 93 to receive the forward extremity of latch bar 94, corresponding to bars 28 and 81, which is pivoted within the slot by means of transverse pin 96. The upper extremity of the bolt is received within suitable slots formed in the adjacent corners of blocks 91 which in construction and mounting essentially correspond to the blocks 51 and 66, shown in Figure 1.

The operation of this embodiment of themvention substantially corresponds to that idescribed in connection with Figures 2: and '3. Both panels of the door are locked by thesingle bolt 96 and may be released by depression'of a button 98, corresponding to button 41..

In Figure 10 is illustrateda convenient embodiment of apparatus including'a lock adapted to actuate the latching mechanism and'also positively to secure the latter in lockedposition. In this embodiment of the invention a latch bar I116 corresponding to the bar 28 and provided with-a rearwardly-projecting portion IOI, is pivoted upon transverse pin I02 in housing I63. The-bar is actuated to retracted position by means of hairpin spring I04 bearing upon the top of bar der-face of cover-plate I of-housing= I43.

The projection IIlI is actuated to and maintained in depressed position by meansoi -a lock including a; conventional lock cylinder I58, which is disposed in a socket I81 in cover-plate IOS and: may berotatedby key-I88-. Thelower extremityoi the cylinder I88 is provided with a downwardly-projecting cam IBQadapted upon rotation ofthe cylinder to gradually depress portion; I0I

When the key- I 88 is withdrawn from the lock cylinder the key opening; is closed against theadmission of-dirt by. means of a small lid 'II'0,

hinged upon pin II I, andadapted to fit flush with the surface of the floor or ceiling in a countersink H2;

After the lever IGIlhas been elevated by rotation of cylinder I88], it is maintained in position until the cylinder is again rotated to release cam I0 9 from projection I8 I.

The locking mechanism disclosed in Fig. 10 may be employed to actuate any ofthe levers 28; 81, or 94;" Where it is employed, bell-crank 42 and its attendant push-buttons are not requ lte In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 11 and 12; the latching mechanism is controlled by means ofelectrical' solenoids which are in circuit with suitable switches disposed at any convenient point. The construction embodies a casing 9 approximately of inverted L shape, and having a flange IZII-by means of which it is secured in a floor or ceiling I'Z'I, in vertical alignment with door or doors I22. branch I24 of the casing is of tubular cross-sectional outline and at its lower extremity is threaded to receive a screw plug I26 providing a closure therefor.

Bolt I21 reciprocates within the branch and at its upper extremity is provided with a bifurcated portion, the-branches I28 of which slide in slots I29 in the top portion I3I of the casing. The bolt also. comprises a stem portion I32 which is bored asindicated at I33 to receive a slidable plug I34 which is provided with astem I35 extending downwardly and threaded at its lower extremity into the plug I26. A coil spring I31 is disposed about the stern I36 and engagesat opposite extremities with the lowerface of plug I34 and the bottom of the bore I33, to urge the bolt to retracted position. In order to actuate it upwardly to locking position, a solenoid I39 is disposed inan intermediate portion of the branch I24 and is connected by conductors I41 and I42 to a source of electrical current. A conventional switch I43 connected'in series with the conductor I4I provides means for controlling the energization of the solenoid,

Branch I48 of the casing H9, like branch I24 is of tubular cross-section and includes at its extremity a screw threadedclosure plug-I41 corresponding to plug I25; A horizontal bolt I48 reciprocates within the branch I46 and is provided at its forward extremity with a lip I49 adapted to engage a shoulder I5I at the upper extremity of stem I32. The bolt is bored as indicated at I5Ia to receive a helical spring I52 which engages at its extremities respectively with the bottom of the bore and the adjacent face of the plug I41. This spring actuates the bolt forwardly automatically to engage the aforementioned shoulder when the bolt is elevated and thus to prevent retraction of the bolt I21. In order to retract bolt I48 to release bolt I21, a solenoid I53 is disposed in the branch I48 and is The verticalswitcl'r- I55 disposed inseries with the conductor I54= providesmeans for controlling. the current.

Itwill be apparent thatthe switches I43 and I55 maybe ofsubstantially any convenient dc.- sign-andmanydnclude lockingv mechanism (not shown) if so' desired in order to. prevent unauthorized manipulation thereof. The switches l'fl may bedisposed at any suitable place either adjacent to or remote from. the door which is to be locked;

The operation of the mechanism disclosed. is practically self-evident. Assuming that the bolt il21 isin: retracted position, door I22 is swung intoalignment with the bifurcated upper portion. thereof. the. solenoid I 39. As a result, the bolt is actuated upwardly to engage the lower edge of 'the door panel or door panels I22. When the upper limit of travel is reached bolt I48 is projected forwardly by the spring I52 to engage the shoulder I51. and thus to maintain the bolt in elevated position after the switch I43 is closed. When it is desired to open the door, switch I55 is closed toenergize thesolenoid I53, thus causing thebolt I48 to be retracted against the urge of the-spring I52. The bolt I21 then drops or is retracted by the urge of the spring I31 and the door is thus left free to swing open.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 13 a housing I58 is provided with a cover I59 having marginal projections I55. The cover, also, hasa downwardly'projecting tubular boss IE2 within which reciprocates a locking bolt I63. This bolt isbifurcated as indicated at I64 and thebranches IBiiof the bifurcated portion reciprocate within slots. I31 in the top or cover I 59iofthe housing. In order to prevent possible chipping of the lower .edge of a door I58, which is locked by the bolt, the upper portions of the branches. ltiimaybe faced or covered with rubber, resin or soft metal such as lead, aluminum, copper, or othermaterial in the form of a layer I89. Oneof the branches I63 may also include a laterally-extending lug III extending outwardly to provide a convenient thumb piece for manually pressing the bolt downwardly out of engagementwith the lower edge of the door I68.

The bolt is. actuated upwardly into engagement with the door by means of a lever I12 journaled intermediate of its. length upon a pivot I13 disposed. inupwardly-extending brackets I14 on the bottom of housing I58. Spring I18 is coiled about the pivot and. at its opposite extremities engages respectively with. the brackets E14 and the lower edgeof thel'eventhus providing means for maintaining the bolt in normally elevated position.

Securing means for positively preventing any unauthorized depression or retardation of the bolt I83 includes a small bell-crank lever I11, pivoted at itsapex upon pin I18, which extends through downwardly-extending brackets I19 in cover I59. The downwardly-extending branch I8I of the lever is adapted to engage the rear extremity of lever I12 when the bolt IE3 is in elevated position, thus preventing depression of the latter to release the door. The branch I III also includes a hook-like portion I82 adapted to engage the rear extremity of the lever in order to maintain the bolt in depressed position when so desired. Branch I83 of the lever is provided at its rear extremity with a piece I84 of iron or other magnetic material constituting an armature. If so desired, the armature may be parconnected by conductor I42 and a conductor I54: with a.- suitablesource. of'energizing current... A,

Switch I 43- is then closedv to energize.

tially counterbalanced by means of a small weight I86 at the extremity of an auxiliary arm I81 upon the bell-crank. The magnetic pull required to elevate the armature is thus reduced.

The mode of the operation of this embodiment of the invention is substantially as follows:

Assuming that the bolt I83 is in elevated position to engage the edge or edges of door or doors I88 and it is desired to release the latter, a magnet I88 of any suitable design is brought over cover I59 into proximity to the armature I84, thus causing the branch |8I of the lever I" to swing rearwardly out of the path of the extremity of the lever I12. Manual pressure may then be exerted upon the lug III of the bolt, thus causing the latter to be depressed against the urge of spring I18 until the rear extremity of the lever is eventually above the hooked portion I82. If the magnet I88 is then removed while the bolt is held in depressed position, it will be apparent that the arm |8I will swing forward to engage the hook with the lever, thus positively locking the latter against the urge of the spring and maintaining the bolt I 63 in depressed position. In event that it is desired to release the bolt, it is merely necessary again to bring the magnet I88 over the armature I84. This causes the arm I8I again to swing rearwardly, to release the lever H2 and permit the bolt I83 to be projected upwardly by spring I18. Manifestly if the friction between hook I82 and lever H2 is too great to be overcome by magnet I88, a slight pressure on thumb piece I'H will relieve it.

The main advantages of the forms of themvention disclosed in Figures 11, 12 and 13 reside in the fact that the use of buttons or other manipulating devices, which might be objectionable in a fioor, are obviated. The only openings required in the floor are those formed to permit passage of the locking bolts.

The embodiments of the invention herein disclosed and described are relatively simple in construction. All of the main operating elements thereof can be conveniently housed in a floor or ceiling as may be convenient in such manner as to obviate the necessity of inclusion of mechanism within the door panels themselves. The expense involved in the provision of such mechanism is obviated. Simultaneously, the door is substantially unmarred by any locking mechamsm.

The devices are particularly well adapted for securing doors comprising massive swinging panels of glass. However, they may be employed in connection with doors of other material or for securing horizontally sliding panels and doors. The devices may also be employed for securing doors comprising single panels rather than a pair of panels.

made therein without departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The combination comprising a glass door panel, said panel having a cut-out portion in one corner thereof, the cut-out portion including a rectangular section extending from the edge of the door and a circular recess at the inner corner of the rectangular section and communicating with the latter, and a fixture comprising a body portion and having an opening formed therein for reception of a bolt for securing the door panel in an opening formed in a building wall, cover plates secured upon opposite sides of the body portion and having marginal portions engaging the adjacent marginal portions of the cutout portion and a securing element secured to and constituting a part of said fitting and projecting into the circular section and being keyed therein to prevent displacement of the fitting from the door.

2. A latching mechanism for a door hinged in adoor frame in a building wall, the door consisting of a massive panel of glass, the panel having a quadrilateral portion cut away at a corner to provide a V-like notch, said panel having an opening extending therethrough and communicating with the notch at the angle thereof, the communication being constricted, said latching mechanism comprising a block disposed in the notch, the block being recessed in an edge thereof to receive a reciprocable bolt projecting from the door frame, face plates secured to the block and overlapping the adjacent portions of the faces of the panel, a bolt extending through and being keyed in the opening and securing the face plates together.

3. The combination comprising a door panel adapted to be disposed in a door frame, the panel having a quadrilateral portion cut away at one corner thereof, to provide a V notch, an opening extending through the panel and having a constricted communication with the notch, a fitting comprising a body portion, which portion is disposed in the notch, the fitting further including portions secured to the body portion and engaging opposite faces of the panel contiguous to the notch, a portion of said fitting being keyed within the opening to prevent retraction of the fitting from the corner of the panel, said fitting further having an opening formed therein, adapted to receive a bolt, securing said door panel in the door frame.

4. A construction as defined in claim 3 in which the opening is formed at the corner of the panel.

5. A construction as defined in claim 3 in which the opening communicates with the notch at the angle of the latter and the portions engaging opposite 'faces of the panel are secured together by an interconnecting bolt.

ROBERT A. MILLER. 

